Study of the dynamical features of the austenite-martensite phase transition in the Ni50(Mn, 1%Fe)34In16 alloy using scanning Hall probe imaging

Abstract

We have performed scanning Hall probe imaging experiments to study the martensite to austenite phase transition in the Ni50(Mn, 1%Fe)34In16 alloy as a function of temperature and magnetic field. We observe that the martensite and austenite phase regions are separated by a distinct interface. The relative growth of phase across the phase transition is associated with the movement of this interface. The movement of the interface becomes arrested at low temperature, which leads to the formation of a “magnetic glass” state in the alloy. The dynamics of the martensite to austenite phase transition in the Ni50(Mn, 1%Fe)34In16 alloy is found to be qualitatively different when the transition is field induced than what it is when the same transition is induced by temperature. While both nucleation and growth of the martensite phase is observed during the austenite to martensite phase transition in the alloy during cooling down, the martensite to austenite phase transition during warming up appears to be growth oriented. In contrast, both nucleation and growth of the product phases are observed during the field induced martensite to austenite phase transition both during increasing and decreasing field experiments. The physical reasons behind these different observations are explored.